Finley Stadium executive director Merrill Eckstein has an attendance number in mind. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletic director Rick Hart isn't about to guess.
Yet the two agree that Sept. 3, when the Russ Huesman and B.J. Coleman eras begin for Mocs football, could be something special for the school and the community. Eckstein believes the Thursday opener against Division II Glenville State may be the most meaningful UTC game in terms of fan support and trust in his nearly two decades in Chattanooga, and he's optimistic for a crowd of 10,000.
"To me, all the stars are aligning right," Eckstein said. "We've got Russ Huesman's first year, and there is definitely an excitement about Huesman coming in as head coach. B.J. Coleman announces that he's coming back here, and that has created a great deal of excitement.
"I love the Thursday night idea. If it was up to me, UTC would play more on Thursday nights, but I know they're burdened by the conference saying
no to that as far as league games."
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jul/09/utcs-season-opener-likely-to-set-tone/
